Head has been dealt to Oakland from Boston, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. The Red Sox received Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney, while the A's picked up outfielder Josh Reddick, Head, and RHP Raul Alcantara.

Head is a prospect who came over to the A's in the Josh Reddick - Andrew Bailey swap. The knock on Head, a former 26th-round pick, is that he is too small to be a power-hitting corner infielder. He is listed at 6-foot exactly, but that is generous by all accounts. However, all Head has done is hit in the minors the last two years. Head had an OPS of .968 and hit 23 HR in 124 games between High-A Stockton and Double-A Midland before suffering a left shoulder strain in the first game of the Arizona Fall League and getting shut down. He also introduced himself to the A's organization with hits in his first 19 games. Head should be the starting third baseman to start the year in Double-A with a chance for a quick jump to Sacramento if he keeps raking. Without a long-term option ahead of him on the depth chart, he's an interesting prospect to target in keeper formats.

2011

Head was converted to first base from third base in the 2010 season and has handled that transition in the field well. At the plate, he has good sound swing mechanics, but has shown little in two seasons at the lower organizational levels. With an improved approach -- looking for the right pitches to swing at and not reaching out of the zone -- Head could start to show some of the power that's predicted of him. He'll start the season at Low-A Greenville and we should get a better read on his status going forward.